"King Abdullah underwent medical tests (recently) after he developed back pain...and the tests showed that the grip around the third vertebrae has been loosened," the court said, adding that doctors have advised to carry out the surgery to repair the vertebrae.

"The operation will be carried out, God willing, within a few days in Riyadh," the royal court said.

Last November, King Abdullah had gone to the US for treatment after he suffered a slipped disc and a blood clot was pressing on nerves in his back.